A brief hallway encounter with Kobe Bryant left a lifelong imprint on Jalen Brunson, becoming a defining moment in his rise as a leader and star.

Jalen Brunson was named NBA Cup MVP after leading the New York Knicks to a win over the San Antonio Spurs. Brunson had 25 points and eight assists during the game. It seems this time of the year has always been special for JB,

The Knicks star, who guided the team to an NBA Cup championship on Tuesday, signed jerseys and posed for photos with the six families he met through the Garden of Dreams Adopt-A-Family program and SCO Family of Services, which partnered with Brunson's non-profit organization Second Round Foundation.

“Damn in 4k,” Hart lightheartedly posted on X with four laughing crying emojis after a video showed Hart stretching his thumb right behind Brunson’s rear end. Hart and the Knicks were celebrating their NBA Cup championship, having just defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 124-113, to seal the third edition of this regular-season tournament.

The New York Knicks recently played against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals at T-Mobile Arena. The game was thrilling and ended in a victory for the Knicks. However, the highlight of the event was the post-game moment featuring Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson, which captured the attention of everyone.

The nugget was tucked deep into a feature in The Boston Globe about new Celtics owner Bill Chisholm. But it was there. The reporter, Adam Himmelsbach, tucked it in there: The Celtics almost had a trade for Jalen Brunson. Of note: This was when Brunson was still with the Dallas Mavericks, before he joined the New York Knicks.

Hard work pays off. Just ask Jalen Brunson. The son of an ex NBA player who now serves as his assistant coach, the barely 6ft 1in Brunson has risen from second-round pick to unquestioned leader

Josh Hart was caught sticking his thumb in the backside of NBA Cup MVP Jalen Brunson as they celebrated their victory.